Jeremy Clarkson, renowned for his roles on Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and the hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, has openly discussed the challenging times facing one of his latest business ventures. In 2024, Clarkson expanded his portfolio by opening a pub called The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, near Burford, Oxfordshire, closely linked to his Diddly Squat Farm operation. However, he admits the outlook for this business is “pretty bleak.”
Writing in the Sunday Times, Clarkson voiced his worries about rising business costs, particularly an alarming increase in business rates. He referenced celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s experience, whose burger restaurant’s rates nearly doubled from £50,000 to £124,000 annually. Clarkson’s own pub faces a rateable value jump from £27,250 to £55,000. On top of that, national insurance changes have increased his wage bill by £42,000 a year. He questioned how businesses can survive when customers are already burdened by soaring energy costs and restricted by new drink-driving laws.
Separately, Clarkson recently won a planning dispute concerning car park provisions at his pub, which boasts 170 parking spaces. The establishment, formerly known as The Windmill, has attracted a growing number of visitors since featuring in Clarkson’s Farm series. West Oxfordshire District Council stressed the importance of off-road parking to prevent cars from blocking the adjacent A40 and roads around Asthall. Clarkson purchased the pub and its five-acre property for £1 million in 2023, shortly after meeting the previous owner.
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In a more personal revelation, Clarkson also opened up about his health struggles related to medication that is causing muscle loss. Despite this, he admitted reluctance to take proactive measures to manage the side effects. While discussing the new Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé in a recent piece, Clarkson reflected on human nature, the difficulty of maintaining New Year resolutions, and a rejection of “living clean” as a lifestyle. He mentioned using the weight loss injection Mounjaro and acknowledged that he “absolutely must” adopt certain habits to counteract the impact of his medication.
At 65, Clarkson remains forthright about the challenges of both business and health, underscoring the reality that despite our knowledge of what’s beneficial, many hesitate to act.